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Orlando Magic: 3 reasons why they made the playoffs

By Luke Duffy

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 07: Terrence Ross #31 of the Orlando Magic and Evan Fournier #10 celebrate after defeating the Boston Celtics 116-108 at TD Garden on April 07, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 07: Terrence Ross #31 of the Orlando Magic and Evan Fournier #10 celebrate after defeating the Boston Celtics 116-108 at TD Garden on April 07, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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(Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/TNS via Getty Images)
(Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/TNS via Getty Images) /

1. They got the right head coach

Coach Clifford isn’t going to receive much Coach of the Year attention, but he absolutely should. What he has done in one season in charge, with largely the same roster as last season, has been nothing short of remarkable. The aforementioned defensive identity is direct a result of him joining the franchise.

Even on a nightly basis, he hasn’t made too many mistakes in coaching this team. Examples of this include taking a liking to Iwundu early in the campaign, before cutting his minutes dramatically for a stretch. This lit a fire under Iwundu, who stormed back to become a key member of the Magic’s bench unit.

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Clifford also identified early the many strengths that Vucevic has offensively, and built around that. He kept D.J. Augustin in the starting point guard role too, with the veteran being the perfect player to run the two-man game with Vucevic.

Vucevic’s defensive numbers improved as well, a result of playing under Clifford. He was also strict on rookie Mohamed Bamba in the minutes he received and how he was used, but the hope is that when he returns from injury next season he will have learned from being used the way he was.

The hiring of Clifford was not met with universal praise when it was announced last offseason, seen by some (including this writer) as a boring and safe move at a time when the Magic needed somebody to come in and shake things up to make it back to the playoffs.

Instead he proved me — and a whole host of other doubters — wrong, much like most of the players on the roster did, silencing critics throughout the campaign. Clifford quickly established himself as the perfect person to take the Magic back to the playoffs, which he has now done in his first season in charge.

Next. The 50 greatest NBA players of all time (updated for 2017-18). dark

The exposure that the young players on the roster will receive from making it is huge for their growth. It’s been seven years coming, but it’s finally exciting to be an Orlando Magic fan again. The next step is surprising a few people, and you get the feeling an experienced coach like Clifford has some tricks up his sleeve yet.

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